Renewable Energy Town: Powering Tomorrow | STEM Renewable Energy Project | Engineering Design Challenge | Years 3–8

Can your students design a town powered by clean, renewable energy?

Challenge students to become energy engineers, sustainability planners and problem-solvers as they investigate how renewable energy is transforming communities around the world before designing an evidence-based energy plan for the future.

In this engaging MindStretch Investigation File, students research authentic renewable energy systems, compare the advantages and limitations of different energy sources, analyse environmental and economic trade-offs, and design a sustainable town that balances reliability, affordability and environmental responsibility.

Unlike traditional STEM worksheets, students don't simply build—they investigate, analyse, design, prototype and reflect using evidence from real-world examples.

The investigation concludes with an optional Build It! Prototype Challenge, allowing students to create and test one feature of their renewable energy solution using physical or digital materials.

Perfect for:

• STEM
• Engineering Design
• Science
• Geography
• Sustainability Units
• Renewable Energy
• Climate Change
• Inquiry Learning
• Project-Based Learning (PBL)
• Gifted & Talented
• Enrichment
• Fast Finishers

Students will:

✔ Investigate renewable energy projects from around the world

✔ Compare solar, wind, hydroelectric and other renewable energy systems

✔ Analyse environmental, financial and community impacts

✔ Evaluate the strengths and limitations of different energy sources

✔ Design a sustainable renewable energy town

✔ Justify every design decision using evidence

✔ Respond to new challenges by improving their design

✔ Complete an optional prototype build challenge

✔ Reflect on their learning and engineering decisions

What's Included (32 Pages)

• Student investigation briefing
• Mission introduction
• 5 real-world renewable energy case files
• Research recording pages
• Evidence analysis organisers
• Design planning templates
• Large town design page
• Optional Build It! Prototype Challenge
• Explain Your Thinking page
• New Information redesign challenge
• Reflection activities
• Student self-assessment checklist
• Open Thinking Canvas
• Teacher implementation guide
• Assessment rubric
• Teacher observation rubric
• Australian, US & UK curriculum alignment

Why Teachers Love MindStretch Investigation Files

⭐ Authentic real-world problems that develop curiosity and purpose

⭐ Builds critical thinking through evidence-based decision making

⭐ Encourages creativity without a single correct answer

⭐ Integrates multiple curriculum areas including Science, Geography, Design Technologies and STEM

⭐ Flexible for individuals, pairs, small groups or whole-class inquiry

⭐ Includes an optional engineering prototype challenge

⭐ Print or assign digitally

⭐ Minimal teacher preparation required

Skills Students Develop

• Research skills
• Critical and creative thinking
• Engineering design
• Sustainability thinking
• Problem solving
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Evidence-based reasoning
• Reflection and evaluation

Curriculum Connections

Aligned with major curriculum outcomes across the Australian Curriculum V9.0 including:

• Science
• Design & Technologies / Engineering Design
• Geography
• Sustainability
• Critical & Creative Thinking
• Ethical Understanding
• Personal & Social Capability

Ideal For

• STEM lessons
• Renewable energy units
• Sustainability inquiries
• Engineering design challenges
• Project-Based Learning (PBL)
• Earth Day activities
• Science enrichment
• Gifted education
• End-of-term inquiry projects

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MindStretch Investigation Files

The MindStretch Investigation Files place students in the role of real investigators tackling authentic problems from today's world. Each investigation follows the complete inquiry cycle:

Investigate → Analyse → Design → Build (Optional) → Reflect

Students learn to think like engineers, scientists and designers by researching real evidence, making informed decisions and creating innovative solutions—because there is no single correct solution.